DEER HUNTING: THE PERFECT SHOT

Saturday

Jun 8, 2013 at 12:01 AMJun 8, 2013 at 8:15 AM

My articles normally focus on forestry matters and techniques. I am compelled to write this article as an avid deer hunter and as a forester. As a forester, the need to properly manage the deer herd to prevent forest destruction is facilitated by the hunters harvesting the desired number of deer. As a hunter and member of QDMA the ethical hunting and respect for the deer requires homework and a well placed shot.

White-tail deer can run at speeds of thirty miles an hour or faster for a short period of time. If a deer is running at thirty miles an hour the deer is traveling 44 feet per second, at 15mph-22 feet per second, at 10mph-14.6 feet per second, at 5mph-7.3 feet per second. Even at 5mph the hunter will have to properly lead the deer. It would be best to wait for the deer to stop before taking the shot. Just the elapse time from the brain determining to shoot and the trigger is pulled could cause a poorly placed shot.

It is becoming way too common to hear reports of a poorly shot deer being found days later more then one mile from where it was shot. A deer running at 30mph for two minutes would be able to cover one mile. Under poor tracking conditions the hunter would have a hard time finding the deer. Just in one square mile there is 640 acres or 27,878,400 square feet. That is a lot of area to have to look for a deer. However, if a hunter is not sure what direction the deer went, the hunter would have to try and find the deer in an area that could consist of four square miles, which is 2560 acres or 111,513,600 square feet.

Hunting deer is not a matter of throwing out the lead and hope you hit the deer, it is about taking a well placed shot. If a hunter cannot get that well placed shot, get a self climber and reposition. Spending a few more mornings or afternoons in the deer stand for the chance at a great shot is a better option then spending hours trying to find a poorly shot deer, disturbing the area for other hunters, and not finding the deer.

Take the members of your hunting party to the rifle range. Make sure the hunter knows how to use the weapon and it is properly sighted. Show them the difference between a standing shot, supported shot, shot taken from a tree stand and shot taken on the level.

Know your deer stand and plan the shot. Simulate how you would take the shot from that stand. Know what obstacles are in the way. Always think one shot one clean quick kill.

White-tail deer are the hardest animal to hunt in North America. Nationwide only twelve percent of hunters harvest a deer. A deer hunter needs to know this animal, study their patterns and position themselves in order to have a successful hunt. Start now.